Veteran Benefits in Maine
Service members may obtain VA benefits in Maine through the state’s Bureau of Veterans’ Services, an organization working to provide military members and their families with employment opportunities, education resources and affordable housing.
Available veterans benefits include college tuition assistance, vocational rehabilitation and tax exemptions. Additional veterans assistance programs include burial benefits or funeral honors. However, federal veterans administration benefits are also available, including home loans, health care and disability compensation. To learn more about the veterans benefits administration and how to obtain the services they provide, review the information below.
Disability Benefits for Veterans in Maine
Eligible veterans and their families may apply for VA disability pay, including Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) or Special Monthly Compensation (SMC).
These VA disability benefits are available to eligible veterans and those who care for them. To apply for disabled veterans benefits in Maine, servicemembers must complete an Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (Form 21-526EZ).
Veterans may file DIC VA disability claims by completing an Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits (Form 21-534EZ), or they may complete VA Form 21-2680 to apply for SMC.
Additionally, veterans may apply for VA life insurance under the following veterans life insurance policies:
- Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance
- Veterans’ Group Life Insurance
- Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance
- Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (Traumatic Injury Protection)
- Service-Disabled Veterans’ Life Insurance
- Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance
To enroll in life insurance for veterans, servicemembers must download and complete a paper application pertaining to the specific type of policy they need. Military members may apply for Service-Disabled Veteran Life Insurance (or S-DVI) or Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (or VGLI) online if they prefer.
Health Insurance Benefits for Veterans in Maine
Maine VA health care includes access to any of the six Veterans’ Homes in the state, in addition to federal health care benefits.
Veterans who have VA health insurance get access to may benefits, such as preventative care services, emergency aid, prescription drug coverage and access to the state’s Women Veterans Health program.
As such, veterans must apply for VA medical benefits by completing Form 10-10EZ (Application for Health Benefits). After completing the application for VA health insurance, veterans must mail the form to the following address:
Health Eligibility Center 2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30329-1647
Note: Alternately, servicemembers may apply for insurance online, in person at a VA medical center or by telephone. To apply for VA health care by telephone, call 1-877-222-8387.
Pension Benefits for Veterans in Maine
Maine VA pension programs help to provide financially-needy servicemembers and their families with supplemental income. Available veterans pension programs include Aid and Attendance (A&A) or benefits under the Housebound program.
Other VA pension benefits are available to servicemembers or their surviving spouses and unmarried children.
Under state law, pension benefits in ME (including survivor benefits) are completely tax-exempt.
To enroll in veterans pension benefits, claimants must complete an Application for Pension (Form 21P-527EZ) or they may complete Form 21P-534EZ to apply for survivors benefits.
To obtain A&A or Housebound pension benefits, claimants must send medical documentation supporting their claim to the following address:
Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center Attn: Philadelphia Pension Center P.O. Box 5206 Janesville, WI 53547-5206
Housing Benefits for Veterans in Maine
Several VA housing programs are available federally and through the state Bureau of Veterans’ Services. These veterans housing assistance programs include property tax exemptions, homestead property tax exemptions, and homeless veteran services.
To learn more about these VA housing assistance programs, service members may visit a local Veteran Service Office (VSO).
Furthermore, veterans housing assistance program options include six Veterans’ Homes throughout the state, such as the facilities in Augusta, Bangor, Caribou, Machias, Scarborough and South Paris.
These homes provide healthcare for service members in need of long-term assistance, including those in need of dementia care and end-of-life services. To apply for admittance into any of the six Veterans’ Homes, servicemembers must complete an Application for Admission.
For additional information, contact the Central Office at 1-800-278-9494.
Note: Federal VA housing benefits includes mortgage assistance, home loans and foreclosure prevention. Veterans who meet VA home loan requirements may obtain Purchase Loans, Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans (IRRRL), Adapted Housing Grants or Native American Direct Loans (NADL). To apply for a VA home loan or for assistance in preventing VA Foreclosures, contact the federal Loan Guaranty Office at 1-877-827-3702.
Education Benefits for Veterans in Maine
Local VA education benefits are available in the form of tuition assistance, including those under the GI bill or Post-Vietnam Era Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP).
To obtain post 911 GI bill or Montgomery GI bill benefits, and to take advantage of the state’s other education assistance programs, veterans must complete an Application (Form 22-1990).
Servicemembers must mail application to the following address:
VA Regional Office P. O. Box 4616 Buffalo, NY 14240-4616
The following scholarships for veterans in Maine are available for eligible servicemembers and their families to take advantage of:
- Veterans Dependents Education Benefits
- Guard Tuition Assistance
- Survivor and Dependents’ Educational Assistance
- Reserve Educational Assistance Program
- Veterans Educational Assistance Program
- National Guard Federal Tuition Assistance
For additional information regarding these benefits, visit a local VSO office.
Employment Benefits for Veterans in Maine
Military members seeking VA jobs services may visit a state Career Center to discover job searching strategies and educational opportunities, or to receive assistance in creating a resume.
Additionally, military members seeking jobs for veterans in Maine may apply for Vocational Rehabilitation Services under the state Department of Labor. Veterans must contact the Department to request an application.
The state offers additional veteran jobs, assistance, as well, including the Occupational Licensing Initiative and Troops to Teachers.
Funeral Benefits for Veterans in Maine
VA death benefits in Maine include interment at any of the four Veterans’ Cemeteries in the state, including the two locations in Augusta and the facilities in Caribou or Springvale.
In addition to the VA burial benefits at these national cemeteries, veterans receive military funeral honors and plot allowances, depending on whether servicemembers die in a service or non-service-related death.
Other veterans death benefits include a government headstone, Presidential Memorial Certificate, perpetual care and a gravesite flag.
Note: Servicemembers may pre-register for veterans burial benefits by completing an Eligibility Application for the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery System, or they may visit any of the cemeteries to apply in person.